Barack Obama's tweet: major events such as the US election converted more people from passive to active users. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Twitter now has more than 200 million active users around the world, with some 10 million of those in the UK underlining its rapid growth as a social media tool.

The number of Twitterati has shot up from 140 million in May, with major events such as the presidential election in the US and the Olympics converting more people from passive to active users, according to Twitter.

Growth was also driven by people discovering Twitter for the first time, a spokeswoman said, citing France as a market that had seen "huge growth" this year, partly driven by its own presidential election.

But with more than 500 million registered users worldwide, the figures show that more than half of those with a Twitter account prefer not to tweet themselves.

Mobile growth is also catching on with 60% using smartphone apps – in the UK 80% of active users are using their phones to access content.

In a tweet noting the statistical landmark Tony Wang, general manager of the social networking giant in the UK, said: "There are now more than 200M monthly active @twitter users. You are the pulse of the planet. We're grateful for your ongoing support!"